Composer Constance Demby was divinely inspired when she composed the music for Sanctum Sanctuorum. Released around September 11, 2001, the album was healing for listeners during a time of shock and trauma. While composing it, Demby found “this huge magnificent beam of powerful energy came pouring in, and just knocked me over! The whole thing opened up wide and glorious, and I was overtaken.” Thus, Sanctum Sanctuorum was born.

Prime music for deep meditation and relaxation, Demby brings us into ethereal realms of peace. In “Alleluiah,” a heavenly bell ushers us into another world. Then the angelic voice of a boy soprano can be heard, ascending higher and higher on the word “alleluiah.” The song’s chord structure builds tension that resolves into harmonic beauty throughout. “Invocation” invites gusts of winds and deep drones to enter our state of nirvana, with deep male voices singing swelling, haunting melodies. Then youthful voices enter, while orchestral strings flow in and out of phrases that are so simple, yet say, “peace, love, and well-being” to the entire universe. The song concludes, delving deeper into the abyss of love. Heaven exists in this music.

“Formless Presence” is an amoeba of light and sound, bending and folding, constantly moving and illuminating. The deep cello sounds combined with the bells and high, extended tones soothe us as we relax our inner mind and our outer bodies. We would completely float away if it weren’t for “Gateway,” a pathway between thoughts, expressions, and people when they understand each other through a glance instead of words. This music is nothing short of majestic. It exists in that that peaceful moment just before we sleep. Hearing Demby’s music feels as if arms of golden light are hugging the past, present, and future. If only everybody could listen.